USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > History of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and its people, Vol. II > Part 54
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Pythias, the Order of Ben Hur, the Woodmen of America, and the Knights of Maccabees, of which last he was the chief organizer in Kansas.
On the 24th of November. 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Lutz to Miss Ida Braecklein. danghter of Dr. Frank Braecklein, a representative physician and surgeon of Concordia, Missouri, and the two children of this union are Irma and Herbert.
JUSTUS N. BAIRD .-- The bar of Wyandotte county is generically one of strong representative order, and thus it is no slight thing to state that any certain person is one of its successful members. Among the lawyers of the younger generation in the metropolis and judicial eenter of the county Mr. Baird has gained noteworthy prestige and here he has proved in no uncertain terms the wisdom of his choice of vocation. He has been a specially close and appreciative student of the science of jurisprudence, was afforded the advantages of one of the greatest law schools in the Union, and has shown marked facility in the practical application of his technical knowledge, with the result that his cumula- tive success in his profession is assured.
Justus Nathan Baird, like many another who has become a disciple of Blackstone and Kent, was born and reared under the invigorating discipline of the great basic industry of agriculture. Ile was born on the homestead farm of his parents in Van Buren township, Van Buren county, Iowa, on the 17th of March, 1882, and is a son of Nathan and Imeinda (Jones) Baird, both natives of Ohio and representatives of old and honored families of that commonwealth, within whose gracious borders they were reared and educated. Nathan Baird was one of the pioneer settlers of Van Buren county, Iowa, where he secured govern- ment land and improved a valuable farm, becoming one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of the county and ever commanding the high regard of all who knew him. There he continued to maintain his home until his death, at the age of sixty years. He was a man of strong mentality and mature judgment and was well fortified in his opinions as to matters of public polity. His political support was given to the Republican party and his religious faith was indicated by his member- ship in the Presbyterian church, with which the family, of staunch Scotch lineage, has long been identified. Ilis wife, who still resides in Van Buren county, on the old homestead, holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their children nine attained to years of maturity, and the eight sons and one daughter are now living.
The boyhood and youthful experiences of Justus N. Baird were those gained in connection with the work of the home farm, and after com- pleting the currieulm of the district schools he entered the Iowa Wes- leyan University, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he continued higher academic studies for three years. HIe left this institution to enter the literary department of the University of Iowa, at Iowa City, and here completed the classical course, in which he was gradnated as a mem- ber of the class of 1906, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the meanwhile he had determined to enter the legal profession, and with this end in view he entered the law department of the great University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in which he completed the prescribed teehni- cal course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1908, with
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the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Ile was simultaneously admitted to the Michigan bar and in February of the following year, upon examina- tion, he secured admission to the bar of Kansas. Ile established his residence in Kansas City, this state, in the autumn of 1908, and here he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession since his admission to the bar.
Subordinating all other interests to the work of his profession, Mr. Baird has manifested no predilection for the turmoil of so called practi- cal polities, but he is aligned as a staunch supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and is admirably reinforced in his convictions relative to publie matters. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and holds membership in the Mercantile Club, one of the representative civic organizations of his home city, where his personal popularity is of unequivocal order. He still elings to a life of celibacy, and it is certain that this fact does not militato against his favorable reception in social circles.
JAMES A. CABLE .- Noteworthy among the active and prominent residents of Kansas City, Kansas, is James A. Cable, now serving as commissioner of water works and street lighting. A son of Charles B. Cable, he was born June 23, 1869, at Carter's Station, Carter county, Tennessee, and at the age of two years moved to Bristol, Sullivan county, Tennessee, where he grew to man's estate.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Charles B. Cable learned the cooper's trade when young, and after his removal to Tennessee followed it a number of years in Bristol. IIe subsequently invested in land in that vicinity, and' was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1900, when he retired from aetive business, having by industry and thrift accumulated a competency. He is a Democrat in his political relations, and has held various township offices, including that of justice of the peace. Ile married Martha E. Weaver, a native of Sullivan county, Tennessee, and of the six children born into their household five are now living, as follows: James A., the special subject of this sketch ; Anna, wife of Robert Morton ; Katherine, wife of James Bailey ; Julia, wife of Henry Morton ; and Henry.
Having acquired his rudimentary education in the public schools of Sullivan county, Tennessee, James A. Cable took a commercial course at a business college in Knoxville, Tennessee, which he attended even- ings, working during the day to earn money enough to pay his ex- penses. He subsequently learned the cooper's trade while working with his father, and followed it until 1897, when he had the honor of being elected secretary and treasurer of the Coopers' International Union and made editor of the International Journal, a position which he filled satisfactorily for thirteen years, his home since 1895 having been in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1909 Mr. Cable was elected commissioner of water works and street lighting, and is performing the duties devolving upon him in this dual capacity with ability and fidelity.
Politically Mr. Cable is nonpartisan in local politics and Demo- eratie in national. Fraternally he is a member of Wyandotte Lodge. No. 3. Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons; of the Pride of the West Lodge, No. 484. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being connected
PUBLIC LIDRALLY
ASTOR, LENOX TH.DEN FOUNDATIONC
Otto, Anderson.
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HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
with Wyandotte Encampment, No. 9. and the Rebekah Degree; of the Modern Woodmen of America : and the Loval Order of Moose. Re- ligiously he belongs to the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Cable married, June 3. 1891. Lena Johnson, a native of Union county. Tennessee, and they have one son, James Edward, a pupil in the high school.
OTTO ANDERSON .- The Scandinavian nations have contributed to our American republic a most valuable element, and this element has as- similated with the body politie with completeness and rapidity. By as much as they have cherished the best heritages they brought with them from their native lands have our Scandinavian citizens added strong and fine fiber to the cosmopolitan fabric of America, where they have entered into the common heritage of this nation of nations. The fair Norseland has an honored representative in Wyandotte county in the person of Otto Anderson, who has gained through his own efforts and ability a secure vantage ground as a business man and loyal citizen, and who has proved himself altogether worthy of the advantages afforded him in the land of his adoption. Sturdy integrity of purpose, honest industry and marked sagacity have brought to him independence and definite prosperity, and none is more fully in harmony with the spirit and institutions of our republic. Ile is engaged in the retail grocery trade in Kansas City and has been called upon to serve in various public offices of local trust, incInding that of city commissioner, in charge of streets and public improvements. He is now inenmbent of this office and in connection therewith has given unmistakable evidence of his civic loyalty and pro- gressiveness. At the time of his reelection he received the largest majority on the tieket. His status in the community is such as to entitle him to recognition in this history of Wyandotte county and its people.
Otto Anderson was born in Sweden on the 5th of September, 1869. and is a son of Andrew and Anna (Pearson) Anderson, both of whom were born and reared in that same section of Sweden. Andrew Anderson devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in his native land until 1884, when he immigrated to America and made Kansas his destination. He secured from the government a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, in Sherman county, and in 1886 his wife and their three younger children joined him in the new home. the three elder children having come to this state somewhat earlier. The parents continued to reside in Sherman county until their death, and there the father. a man of industrious habits and sterling attributes of charac- ter, reclaimed his farm and gained a position of independence.
Otto Anderson gained his early education in his native land, where he was graduated in the high school, and he was a lad of sixteen years at the time when he accompanied his mother to America and joined his father on the old homestead farm in Sherman connty, Kansas. He could not speak the English language in the least, but his intelligence and former training were such that he soon made good the handicap thus entailed. He finally left the parental home and went to Nebraska, where he secured employment at farm work and where he showed his excellent judgment by attending two terms of winter school,-principal- ly for the purpose of seruring a better knowledge of the English lan- Vol. II-26
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guage. In 1888, when nineteen years of age, he came to Kansas City. Kansas, and after working for an interval as a railroad section hand he here secured employment in one of the packing honses. Later he ap- plied himself to the work of cleaning Pullman sleeping cars, on the Wabash Railroad, and in 1890. on the basis of his savings from his earnings, he initiated his career as an independent business man. At 340 Minnesota avenue he opened a modest grocery store, and about one Year later he removed to his present commodious quarters, at 236-8 South Seventh street. where, through fair and honorable dealings and careful catering to the demands of an appreciative patronage. he has built up a substantial and prosperous business.
Mr. Anderson has shown an intelligent interest in public affairs of a local order and has given his support to the measures and enter- prises advanced for the general good of the community. Elected by a gratifying majority, he represented for two years the fifth ward of the city in the city council, and upon his retirement from this position, in which he made an excellent record, he was elected city commissioner. in April. 1910, as candidate on the Republican ticket. His personal popularity insured to him a good majority in this election, and as a commissioner in charge of streets and publie improvements he has given zealous attention to the work assigned to him, thus proving a valuable excentive in this important office. He is unwavering in his allegiance to the cause of the Republican party, has attained to the thirty-second degree in the Ancient Accepted Rite of the Masonic fraternity. and is also affiliated with the local organizations of the Benevolent and Pro- teetive Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife hold membership in the Untheran church, in whose faith they were reared, and in their home city their circle of friends is equal to that of their acquaintances.
The year 1898 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Anderson to Miss Ida Sanders, who was born at Wamego, Pottawatomie county, Kansas. where her parents, natives of Kansas, settled in the pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have four children,- Lee, Clyde. Otto and Vergil.
FRANK S. ELLIS .- Among real estate dealers and insurance men of Kansas City, Kansas. Frank S. Ellis, of the firm of Merriam. Ellis & Benton, holds high prestige, and maintaining. as he does, a representa- tive position as identified with the business life of the city, it is mani- festly consistent that his life history should come under review. This gentleman can claim as the place of his nativity the land which its loyal sons are pleased to believe "the most brilliant star upon the rest of time"-England, but this has by no means deterred him from becoming one of the most loyal and public spirited of Americans. He plays an admirable role in the many-sided life of the community and is widely known in business and social cireles.
Mr. Ellis was born near London, England. June 18, 1866, and is the son of Lilley W. and Susan (Chambers) Ellis, and one of a family of twelve children. ten surviving. The father was born in England in 1829. and more of this prominent and benevolent gentleman will be given in snoreeding paragraphs. Ilis demise occurred December 7. 1910. but the mother, who is a native of Balfast. Ireland. is still living.
Mr. Ellis, the immediate subject of this record received his educa-
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HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
tion in his native country and supplemented his preliminary studies with attendance at Liverpool College, the institution of learning which Sir William Ewart Gladstone attended. His first identification with the world of affairs was as an employe of the J. C. Houghton Importing Company of Liverpool, and he remained with this concern for three years previous to coming to this country, his migration occurring in the vear 1885, some two years previous to the attainment of his majority. His first adventures in this country were as a rancher for the C. B. Gill Cattle Company, his location being in Davis county, Kansas, now Geary county, and for a year or more he knew the free life of the plains and prairies. In the fall of 1887, not being entirely satisfied with the busi- ness, Mr. Ellis sold out the interests he had acquired and made a radical change engaging in the packing business with General Fowler & Son in Kansas City. He remained in this association until 1899, when he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, his firm being known as Merriam, Ellis & Benton, and in the decade and more of its existence having become one of the best known in this part of the United States.
Mr. Ellis belongs to a number of important organizations, these being as follows: Wyandotte Lodge, No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; the Mercan- tile Club ; the Real Estate Exchange of Kansas City, Missouri; and the Commercial Club.
On May 11. 1888, Mr. Ellis established an independent household by marriage, his chosen lady being Miss Alta Triekey, of Blanchester, Clinton county, Ohio, daughter of John and Mary Trickey. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis share their hospitable and cultured home with a son and a daughter-Mand M. and Donald F.
It can be only appropriate to add something of Mr. Ellis' father, who was one of the highly respected and useful citizens of Birkenhead, England. and as the essential data is contained in an article published in the Birkenhead News at the time of the much lamented demise of this gentleman, the same is incorporated in this review.
" A deep feeling of regret passed over the town on Wednesday morn- ing when the news was circulated of the death of Mr. Lilley Ellis, of 9 Rock Park, Rock Ferry. There was probably no better known gentleman in the north of England in Masonie circles, for during the last forty years he has been a Free Mason. Ile was a native of Leek, Staffordshire and was born in 1831. He was originally a silk merchant in Leek, his firm being Messrs. Ellis, Russell & Clewes. In 1854 he came to Birkenhead and commeneed the business of ship dyers, cleaners and furnishers in the present premises in Albion street, near the town hall. He took up his residence in Rock Ferry a year after he came to the town and has lived there ever since. Of recent months, unfor- tunately, Mr. Ellis has been far from well, and has been eonfined to his house. Ile died on Wednesday morning at about ten o'clock. He leaves six daughters and four sons."
Mr. Ellis, as has already been stated. was a Free Mason for over forty years and was a most highly respected brother. He was Past Grand Assistant Director of Ceremonies of the United Grand Lodge of England-the highest rank to which a Mason can aspire-Past Provin- rial Grand Warden for Cheshire and Past Deputy Grand Master of the Mark Degree in Cheshire. He was initiated in the Zetland Lodge No.
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HISTORY OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY
537 in October, 1871, afterwards joining the Rock Lodge, No. 1,289, Birkenhead, in 1874, and in 1885, for the second time. was installed Master of this Lodge. He has been connected with the formation of many lodges and has been instrumental in spreading the principles of Masonry, especially in the Province of Cheshire. During his progress through Masonry many honors have been conferred upon him, each succeeding honor bringing increased satisfaction to the brethren of Cheshire. In 1885, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. Earl Egerton of Tatton, conferred upon him the rank and dignity of Provincial Senior Grand Deacon, and in 1892 he received the further honor of Provincial Senior Grand Warden. The rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of England was conferred in 1904 by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, his Royal Highness the Duke of Con- naught, and in the same year he was appointed the Most Excellent First Grand Provincial Grand Standard Bearer of England. It was in 1907 that he received the signal honor of being appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire by the Hon. Alan de Tatton Egerton.
He was looked upon as the father of the Lilley Ellis Lodge. No. 3,236, which was founded in May. 1907, to perpetuate his great work on behalf of the order and he was presented by an illuminated address by the founders of the lodge to commemorate its foundation.
Practically his whole life was wrapped up in furthering the welfare of the Masonic charities of Cheshire and London and he was Past Chair- man of the Board of Benevolences, Cheshire Charities. His record in this respect was an excellent one and the charities had no worthier supporter. In addition to the great interest he had taken in Cheshire Charities. Mr. Ellis was a vice patron and a life governor of the Royal Masonie Institution for Girls and a Life Governor of the Royal Masonie Benevolent Institution for Aged Free Masons.
Mr. Ellis was of a jovial temperament and one of his favorite songs was "In The Days When We Were Gipsying." His brother Masons al- ways spoke of him thus:
"He was one to whom the burdened heart could pour forth its sorrow; to whom the distressed could proffer its suit ; whose hand was guided by justice and whose heart was expanded by benevolence." The support he gave to the Birkenhead Hot-pot Fund was considerable and this fund will feel his death greatly. Always fond of sport, he was a particularly keen bowler, and of recent years was a member of the Ilighfield Bowling Club, Rock Ferry. He was also well known as an angler and each summer he spent his holidays in the West of Ireland salmon fishing and during his holidays one year he caught an aggregate of one hundred and eighty-seven pounds.
Mr. Lilley Ellis was throughout his life a staunch Liberal and until the last took a keen interest in political affairs.
GEORGE W. LITTICK .- The state of Illinois has contributed a dne quota to the personnel of the bar of Wyandotte county. and among the valned and prominent legal practitioners thus to be classified is Mr. Littiek, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Kan- sas City. the thriving metropolis and county seat of Wyandotte county. for nearly a quarter of a century and who has long controlled a large and representative clientage, with incidental interposition in much important litigation in the courts of this seetion of the state.
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George W. Littick was born at Taylorville, Christian county, Illi- nois, on the 21st of September, 1861, and is a son of Marcus A. and Mary (Bowles) Littick, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Fayette county, Illinois. The lineage of the Littick family is traced back to sterling German origin and the name has been identi- fied with the annals of America for several generations. George W. Littiek was reared to adult age on the homestead farm of his father in Christian county, Illinois, and after due preliminary discipline in the public schools he entered MeKendree College, at Lebanon, Illinois, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1883, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In this institution he had also been a student in the law department, and such was his advancement in his technical knowledge that he was admitted to the bar of his native state in 1883. After his graduation he returned to the home of his parents, who had in the meanwhile removed to Southwest City, Missouri, and in 1884 he located at Oswego, the judicial center of Labette county, Kansas, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until 1887, when he came to Wyandotte county and established his residence in Kansas City, where he has since given his entire time and attention to the work of his profession, in which his talents and his close application have given him recognized precedence as one of the leading members of the bar of this section of the state. At various periods he has been associated in professional partnership alliances, but he is at the present time condneting an independent practice, and that of broad scope and importance.
In politics Mr. Littick is aligned as a supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and he is an effective exponent of its principles and policies. He has been an active and valued campaign worker, but has never manifested any personal ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office. Both he and his wife hold to the Christian Science faith and are active in the local church of this denomination, as are they also in connection with the best social life of their home city.
The year 1892 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Littick to Miss Katha- rine D. Lewis, daughter of John Dean Lewis, who was long numbered among the leading members of the bar of Wyandotte county with whom Mr. Littick was associated in practice for several vears. Mr. and Mrs. Littiek have no children.
WILLIAM D. SNELL .- Within the pages of this work will be found represented many of the leading members of the Wyandotte county bar, and it will be noted by reference to the various individual sketches that on the roster are names of those who have been contributed by many of the older commonwealths of the Union. The well known attor- ney and counselor whose name initiates this article and who is engaged in the successful practice of his profession in Kansas City, the metro- polis of the county, claims the fine old Empire state as the place of his nativity, and through his character and services he has honored both that commonwealth and the state of his adoption. He is essentially one of the representative members of his profession in Wyandotte county and thus it is specially consonant that in this publication be entered a brief review of his career.
William Dunean Snell was born in the village of Volney, Oswego
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county, New York, on the 23rd of January, 1863, and is a son of Orville H. and Betsy (Ball) Snell, both of whom were likewise born and reared in New York state, where the respective families were founded in the pioneer days. The lineage of the Snell family is traced back to the staunchest of Holland Dutch stock and representatives of the same were found numbered among the original Knickerbocker settlers in New Amsterdam, the nucleus of the great national metropolis. Orville II. Snell is a cooper by trade and he followed this vocation for many years. Ile is now living retired at Volney, New York, at the venerable age of eighty-one years, and the gracious evening of his life is idealized by the companionship of his cherished and devoted wife, who has passed down the pathway of life by his side and proved to him a veritable helpmeet, as well as a devoted mother. Both have been residents of the Empire state from the time of their nativity to the present and both are held in affectionate regard by all who have come within the compass of their kindly influence. To them were born five sons and two daughters, and of the number four sons and one daughter are now living, the subject of this review having been the third in order of birth. Orville H. Snell gave distinctive evidence of his patriotism by his valiant service as a soldier of the Union in the Civil war. He served two years, as a mem- ber of a New York regiment, and he has perpeuated the more gracious memories of that period of his career through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He has ever been a staunch advocate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party but has had no desire for the honors or emoluments of public office, though ever mindful of all civic duties and responsibilities. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Universalist church.
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